Ephesians Background
It’s time for some background info for our newest verse of the month!
Ephesians 6:13 tells us to put on the full armor of God and stand our ground.
I honestly am constantly amazed at how timely God is with placing a verse on my heart. I don’t know about you, but everyday has felt like a battle lately! This verse reminds me that I am already under God’s supernatural protection with specially designed pieces of armor to protect my most vital and vulnerable areas.
Not only am I protected, but God also gives us the battle strategy of the enemy by telling us what needs protection!
The enemy is not creative (that’s our creator’s forte) so his tactics and schemes have not changed through the years. God gives us our own battle plans to know how to defeat the enemy’s advances.
First thing: I challenge you to read through the entire book of Ephesians. Don’t worry, it’s not long!
In order to study our verse properly, we must understand the context and background info of the verses surrounding ours, the chapter and the book. So here is a little recap:
WHO AND WHEN:
Paul identifies himself right off the bat. Ephesians is believed to be written in the same time frame as Colossians ~ AD 60 while Paul was in prison in Rome (see Eph 6:20).
It was written to the city of Ephesus, which was the most important city in western Asia Minor (now Turkey). It was an intersection of major trade routes and was known for business. Paul spent a few years there evangelizing (see Acts 19).
WHY:
Unlike several of the other letters that Paul wrote, this one doesn’t address a particular error or heresy. Paul wanted the readers to understand God’s eternal purpose and grace and the high goals God has for the church better. He wanted them to understand that practical daily life on earth continues to work out the purposes of God. Being a believer in God has advantages! This letter is the most optimistic and encouraging letter Paul wrote.
I just keep going back to the fact that Paul did not let his circumstances dictate whether he was going to keep spreading the gospel. He was in JAIL for doing just that...and yet he was still using what he had to complete his mission: telling more people about Jesus. I think we could all use a big heaping spoonful of Paul’s resolve to continue to press forward even when everything around you is trying to keep you back.
Paul is the epitome of STANDING YOUR GROUND!
I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time listening to people give me advice about something they have not already done themselves. But I can rest assured that Paul’s instruction comes from a place of complete and total understanding of hardship surrounding his convictions.
This verse is so very relevant still today in this world we are all living in.
Stand your ground, friends.
Put on the full armor of God.
Keep true to your faith.
Stay strong in your convictions.
You are not alone, no matter what it looks like!
Happy Digging!
